Santa and 7-year-old Minden Elementary student Kennedy Koskin pose before throwing the switch at the Minden Gazebo lighting on Friday night.
Photo by Kurt Hildebrand.
Let there be light in Carson Valley, where the towns now glow with holiday magic thanks to a culmination of celebrations starting with fireworks at Thursday’s Christmas Kickoff in Gardnerville.
During the 19th annual Christmas Kickoff, families were greeted by Santa Claus and mingled around firepits, enjoying Dutch oven cobblers, hot chocolate, cider, and popcorn while watching performances by CBP Aerial Arts, Controlled Burns, and All About Dance and light show before turning to the sky for a winter fireworks show.
For the light show, the gazebo lights danced to “Wizards of Winter.” The show can be viewed throughout the season by driving up next to it and tuning the radio to 89.9.
Sponsored by Sharkey’s, Carson Valley Health, and the Randy and Linda Slater, the Christmas Kickoff takes place the Thursday of the first weekend of December, marking the official start of the season.
First timer and Carson City resident Ian Blowney met up with some Minden friends who told him about the event.
“So far it is a really fun event and the kids are having fun running around,” said Blowney.
It was the second year attending the event for the Chambers family.
“We came last year, but the kids were a little younger and didn’t really know what to think. This year, they love all the lights and we are excited to see Santa,” said Samantha Chambers.
The event was followed by Minden’s gazebo lighting and caroling and a tree lighting in Genoa on Friday.
The Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center will host its annual Gala 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today.
The annual Parade of Lights starts 5 p.m. today at Heritage Park and travels down Eddy Street, Highway 395, Esmeralda Avenue and around Minden Park. This year’s theme is Santa’s Holiday Express.
The parade will close the highway at 4:30 p.m. between Waterloo Lane and Sixth Street.
